Venus says she's still proud of sister Serena

Serena Williams has finally apologised for her tirade at a lineswoman during her semi-final match against Kim Clijsters at the US Open. Williams issued a statement on Sunday about the incident, but while she conceded she had "handled the situation poorly," she did not apologise to the lineswoman or Clijsters. "I want to amend my press statement of Sunday, and want to make it clear as possible - I want to sincerely apologise first to the lineswoman, Kim Clijsters, the USTA and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst," she said. "I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm wrong. "I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it's not the way to act --win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner." Having already received an earlier warning for smashing a racket, Williams was handed an automatic point penalty for a second violation after launching an expletive-laced rant, which gave Clijsters the match. Initially when asked by the media if she believed she should apologise, Williams replied: "An apology? From me? Well, how many people yell at linespeople?" However, after two days of negative headlines and with the threat of a ban from the tour hanging over her, Williams's stance softened once tennis officials fined her $10,500 (£6,000) and launched an investigation into the incident. "I like to lead by example," Williams said. "We all learn from experiences both good and bad, I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result."

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ITN | September 15, 2009

Tags:. .fined. .tour. .faith. .experiences. .usta